Thames Water is reporting a 15 per cent increase overall but we are still “a million miles away from a drought” thanks to last year’s wet summer

Splash: Water use has gone up by 15 per cent as people look to cool off during the heatwave

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The heatwave is making us all use more water – and at peak times the demand can go up by 50 per cent.

Thames Water is reporting a 15 per cent increase overall but we are still “a million miles away from a drought” thanks to last year’s wet summer.

The extra water being used would be enough to fill 160 Olympic swimming pools every day.

Since the mercury hit 30 degrees C at the weekend, nine million consumers across the Thames Water region have been cooling off and quenching their thirsts with around 400 million litres a day more than the 2.6 billion litres they normally use.

Demand for water has risen by 100 million litres a day in Reading and the Thames Valley and 300 million litres a day in London.

While groundwater, rivers and reservoirs are full of water following England’s wettest-ever year last year, the current increase in demand means Thames Water has had to increase the output of water at its 100 treatment works.

Holly and Sasha Bureau throwing water over each other at the paddling pool in Christchurch Meadow

Jerry White, head of water for Thames Water, said: “While we are currently a million miles away from a drought, our treatment works are being cranked up a notch to keep pace with the spikes in demand.

“Peak periods are first thing in the morning when people are getting washed ready for work and in the evenings when people turn the sprinklers on and fill up paddling pools for the kids to enjoy.

“At peak times of day in certain areas of the region, demand for water has been increasing by between 20 per cent and 50 per cent.

“It’s like when a sale opens on Oxford Street. There’s plenty of stock but lots more people are trying to go through the door at the same time, so there can be a bit of a crush momentarily.

“With all this water being used, it is a good time to remember that we have masses of free water-saving products available to order on our website – www.thameswater.co.uk/freebies – shower-timers, water-efficient shower heads, tap inserts, save-a-flush devices for your toilet.

He added: “The topsy-turvy British weather doesn’t disappoint.

“We’ve just emerged from some of the wettest weather we’ve ever had into the first heatwave for seven years.”